COLUMN: Familiar foes know NCSU-UNC game about execution

By Brett Friedlander

Published: Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 11:22 PM.

That familiarity will undoubtedly help both teams as they put together their game plans for their CWS opener. But despite the abundance of knowledge, it’s still execution that will ultimately determine the outcome.

For UNC, that means solving the mystery of Wolfpack ace Carlos Rodon. For State, it’s a matter of finding enough runs to keep from wasting another of Rodon’s masterpieces.

In two previous postseason starts against the Tar Heels, both at the ACC tournament, the sophomore left-hander has yet to allow an earned run while yielding only five hits with 26 strikeouts over 19 remarkable innings.

Of all the preparations that come with getting ready to play in the College World Series, there’s at least one both N.C. State and North Carolina won’t have to worry about heading into Sunday’s epic showdown in Omaha.

A scouting report.

Having already played twice during the regular season, along with 18 more innings at the ACC tournament in Durham last month, the neighboring rivals are about as well-acquainted with one another as two teams can possibly be.

“We know a lot about them,” Tar Heels coach Mike Fox said this week.

That familiarity will undoubtedly help both teams as they put together their game plans for their CWS opener. But despite the abundance of knowledge, it’s still execution that will ultimately determine the outcome.

For UNC, that means solving the mystery of Wolfpack ace Carlos Rodon. For State, it’s a matter of finding enough runs to keep from wasting another of Rodon’s masterpieces.

In two previous postseason starts against the Tar Heels, both at the ACC tournament, the sophomore left-hander has yet to allow an earned run while yielding only five hits with 26 strikeouts over 19 remarkable innings.

And yet, neither he nor the Wolfpack have come away with anything to show for the effort.

UNC beat the State bullpen in 12 innings in Greensboro in 2012, then outlasted coach Elliott Avent’s team again – this time in 18 dramatic innings – under similar circumstances last month in Durham.

“That happens sometimes,” Rodon said. “You can’t control it. All you can do is go out there and keep making pitches.”

As painful as the memory of those losses might still be, the Wolfpack suddenly finds itself in a position to heal its wounds – while inflicting a little hurt of its own – by finally giving Rodon a little support on the college game’s biggest stage.

“We want to put up a crooked number for everyone, but especially Carlos,” All-America shortstop Trea Turner said.

“I feel bad for him,” added senior first baseman Tarran Senay. “I know he pitches his butt off and only lets the other team score zero or one run per game. I don’t know why we don’t score for him, but we’ve got to find a way this weekend because I know he’s going to do well.”

That is, unless the Tar Heels have something to say about it.

Even though they have yet to figure out Rodon in any of his four career starts against them — including two this year — catcher Brian Holberton is confident that that eventually, UNC’s bats will finally star to catch up with the Wolfpack ace.

“It helps no matter who the pitcher is to go out there and see him two times,” Holberton said. “That will be with us.

“It’s the College World Series. They’re a great team. Hopefully we’ll bring some momentum and go out there and win. We were going to do the same thing no matter who it is (on the mound).”

Rodon is coming off a performance in which he allowed a season-high nine hits in a Super Regional no-decision against Rice. Even he’s at his unhittable best Sunday, the Tar Heels are still confident in their ability to find a way to win.

They’ve done it multiple times already.

The key to those victories has been keeping the game close with a stellar pitching performance of their own. In 2012, it was Benton Moss and Michael Morin that traded zeroes with Rodon. This year it was Hobbs Johnson and Trent Thornton.

Sunday, the task will be taken by Kent Emanuel, a junior left-hander who despite some recent struggles, is the ACC’s reigning Pitcher of the Year.

“Obviously, Carolina has lots of arms over there,” Avent said. “It’s not like we don’t like to score runs for Carlos. It’s that other pitchers have something to say about it, too. That’s kind of the story there.”

It’s a story, however, whose ending has yet to be written.

Because of the stakes, the history and the familiarity the Wolfpack and Tar Heels have with one another, those on both sides of the rivalry are anxious to see how the next — and perhaps climactic — chapter plays out.

“It’s going to be exciting … in-state team. Big rivalry,” UNC centerfielder Chaz Frank said. “It’s going to be a fun game. They’re going to have their ace on the mound like always. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

You can reach ACC Insider Brett Friedlander can be reached at starnewsonline.com@gmail.com or Twitter.com/starnewsacc